How can I forget they killed my whole family?

“In 1959 and 1972 they killed the men but mostly spared the woman and children. In 1959 I had already fled. They burnt our houses but didn’t kill as many people as four years ago [in the genocide of April 1994]. In 1994 it was completely different. They even killed children and old people. They killed all the Tutsis. I was lucky. When they arrived, we hid in the church. They came looking for us and we all ran away in different directions and lost sight of each other. I managed to reach Burundi. Eighteen members of my family died here. My husband and all my children, except my eldest daughter. I don’t know where they’re buried. Sometimes I still go to church. I pray to God to let me die. I’m old. What will happen to me now? The man who helps me has grown too weak to carrying on bringing me food. I’m relying on God.” The photograph and testimony of Languide, aged 87, are taken from a book by Jean-Louis (...)